Question about incisions

Good Morning!! Had my LSH on Thursday, came home quite drugged up that afternoon so I didnt get to ask the hospital many questions. They told my husband I can shower, and to keep my incisions clean and dry. Well getting into the shower last night my husband said I needed to remove the tape they have on my incisions, but they were so stuck to me I said no it hurt to try to pull them off which wouldnt be good tugging on them. I can see the stitches under the tape and well my belly button looks horrible. I will call the doctors office tomorrow but untill the can any of you tell me how you kept your incisions clean and dry and did you remove your tape? Other than that I feel like I am doing ok. Light pain still, and of course lots of swelling of my belly. But other than that I am so glad I got this surgery over and done with. Thanks in advance for any replies!! And hugs to you all!!

The tape is probably steri-strips. I was told to leave my steri-strips on and that they would fall off by themselves in about a week.

I showered somewhat normally. The doctor said to try to avoid washing the incision/tape, but it was okay for it to get wet in the shower (no baths).

I dried it after I showered using my hair dryer.

My steri-strips began to come off at day 7 - and continued through day 14.

Blow dry on Cool setting only.

Call and ask if the tape is Steri Strips...if so, do not take them off!!! You need something there to hold the incision together.

They probably meant for you to take off the tape holding the gauze pad in place.

Please don't take off steri strips. If you took them off already, call the doctor and arrange to have fresh ones put on and in the meantime, try to limit your movements to minimum required.

They will fall off in a week or so. It's ok for them to get wet in the shower. It's ok for soap to get on your incision too just make sure you rinse well. Don't forget to let soap and water drip onto where the belly overhangs a bit. Rinse really well. Use a cup to splash water there or a hand held sprayer.

Which direction is your incision?
Use 3 x 3 sterile guaze and tuck it folded between your belly and incision (on the bottom of a vertical and all along a horizontal). Allow an inch or two to stick out. This acts as a wick to draw out extra moisture (sweat) that gathers during the day. Change that a few times a day to keep the area dry. Dark, moist places grow bacteria!

If they are steri strips they will probably fall off in about a week -- however, I had my surgery on a Monday and was told by Saturday to remove half of them (every other one) and by that Sunday to remove the rest. I was able to get them off easily when they got good and wet.

I would call you dr. just to be sure.

Thank you!!! I knew I could cound on you all to help me out with imformation and advice!!

Hi, when I tried to take off the steri-strips my incision started bleeding, that was 5 days after surgery. They are meant to stay on at least 10 days. Ask your doc when you can remove them.

Ouch! Did it heal ok?
Pulling steri strips off too early is like pulling out your stiches!
My doctor didn't want to put any on after my staple removal but I insisted because I couldn't deal with seeing that thin red line of the under layer of my skin. Gives me heebie jeebies just remembering it!!! I got to keep those on until they fell off..another 7-10 days and I'm so glad I had them . They were my security blanket after staples for 10 days.

It is amazing how little information they give you when you check out of the hospital on these things. I even read the paper work they gave DH on my dismissal from hospital and all it said was keep incisions clean and dry. You ladies and this message board has helped me through this process so much!